New study calls for urgent action on air pollution in Fiji, report reveals we have an air quality crisis

A groundbreaking study conducted by Fiji National University, University of New South Wales and the University of the South Pacific has revealed that air pollution in both Fiji and the Solomon Islands exceeds international health guidelines, and present serious risks to public health.

The study, published in Atmospheric Pollution Research, highlights the urgent need for government action to address air quality issues in the Pacific region.

Dean of FNU’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Doctor Amelia Turagabeci emphasised the severity of the findings, particularly the elevated levels of particulate matter (PM) pollution.

The report, derived from data collected from Suva between April 2021 and August 2023, found that particulate matter concentrations, including PM2.5 and PM10, significantly exceed the World Health Organisation guidelines in both urban and peri-urban areas.

PM2.5 refers to fine particulate air pollution with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres, largely produced by combustion processes such as vehicle emissions, power plants, and industrial activity.

Prolonged exposure to PM2.5 is associated with numerous health problems, including ischemic heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and adverse birth outcomes. This study highlights the need for continued research and the implementation of public health policies to mitigate the harmful impacts of air pollution on vulnerable populations.

In Suva, the data revealed that urban areas exceeded the PM2.5 guideline by 10 percent, while peri-urban regions surpassed it by 13 percent.

The study says alarmingly, PM2.5 annual averages in Suva exceeded WHO limits by 2 to 4 times, indicating a chronic problem.

Doctor Turagabeci says these findings highlight the urgent need for governmental action to establish robust air quality standards and implement long-term monitoring programmes in Fiji and the Solomon Islands.

She says they work in close collaboration with the key stakeholders like the Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change where they also update on their findings.

Doctor Turagabeci says whilst the Permanent of Secretary of Health, Doctor Jemesa Tudravu, chairs the Climate Change and Health Steering Committee, the Permanent Secretary of Environment and Climate Change, Doctor Sivendra Michael, is also engaged with the project at FNU, which is funded by the Pacific Action for Climate Transitions, a Centre jointly owned with Monash University, Australia.

The next phase of study will involve correlating data with disease burden, beginning with the Children’s Environmental Health component.

This study phase is in collaboration with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Manaaki Climate and Respiratory Health Project. FNU’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba has highlighted the importance of the university’s role in tackling these critical issues.

She says as a Pacific island nation, Fiji faces immense challenges due to climate change, including rising sea levels and extreme weather events.